Hi All,
oregonxv@xxxxxxxx wrote:
> Um, Jeff lets think about this.
> 1) Not one professional rider in any competitive arena that I am aware of
> rides less than a full face helmet.
[Tim] I'm not sure about the States but I think all of our Trials (competitive)
bike riders wear open face helmets, as do most of our display teams
(professional)?
[T] On the point of Trials riding, I think some were even trying to get away
from helmets completely as they suggested that people had died when misjudging
overhanging branches and getting their necks broken?
>
> 2) Steve recently wrote about his accident, we are all glad that he is
> here to write about it and one of his points was the destruction of his
> helmet. Not his face and head. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting
> Steve but I would guess that he is an experience rider and would tell you
> that "Accidents Happen" and when they do you had better already be
> equipped. You can't stop everything and go home to get the right gear.
[T] My daughter was buzzing along on her PW50 (aged 7) , lost concentration and
clipped a large lump of wood, ripping the bike out from under her and dumping
her face down on the tarmac at 20+ mph. The poppers were worn off her leather
jacket, a 2" dia burn on her leg through 2 layers of trousers (no hole in the
material though) and major scuffing to her full face helmet chin guard. Apart
from the friction burn, being very shaken up and a bit stiff the next day she
was ok? Not sure it would have been the same result in an open face?
>
> 3) Ever see a film of a crash dummy on a motorcycle? Your a bright guy,
> think about it.
[T] Yes, and years ago I went to one of our 'Road Safety Research Centres'
where I learned that by far, the greatest number of deaths of motorcyclists
were caused by 'internal' damage to the head (brain coming loose of it's
mountings). The shock of a head coming to a halt at speeds in excess of 15
(fifteen) miles / hour was enough (shock pulse) to kill instantly ;-(.
Relatively few 'deaths' (as opposed to facial damage etc) were caused by
friction, crushing or impaling etc. They also demonstrated the impact absorbing
liner in most 'new' crash helmets (polystyrene) only amplified the effect (the
brain would 'rebound')? They offered an alternative liner that worked more like
a crumple zone in a car but this would need to be changed every 6 months or so
and would make the helmet around 1" bigger. They suggested we would actually be
safer (from death) by wearing one of the light (less neck damage), short, (less
neck damage) and better absorbing (less chance of internal injuries) helmets as
worn by canoeists etc? I'm afraid they are not 'approved' in the UK for
motorcycles so we are forced to wear a less protective solution?
> I do other things to make sure that I can see, wide angle mirrors annoy
> some people but after you get used to them you sure can see a lot. I
> constantly look around, scan your field of view and know what the dangers
> are on a continuous basis. Remember the old rules of driving defensive.
[T] Good point .. I have very good peripheral vision (clay / skeet shooter) and
very good mobility of the neck (for a 45 yr old!<g>) and will always 'look'
rather than use the mirrors for most manoeuvres.
> For my $0.02, please wear your full face helmet. If I do get the chance
> to ride your way some summer I'd love to meet you, all of you.
[T] I will only wear a full face since a long and hard (and noisy) journey
wearing an open face and sunglasses (polycarb shooting ones) brought on the
Tinitus (constant very high pitched whistle) that I have now suffered for over
10 years. I now ride with 'light' earplugs as if it gets too quiet in there all
I can hear is the Tinitus? ;-(
All the best and whatever you choose, ride safe.
T i m (spaced out 'T i m' in London)
>
>
> >
> >On Sat, 30 Mar 2002 jvandyke writes:
> > I was reminded of the vast difference in how much better I could see
> with the open face.
> >
>
> Ron in Oregon: '96 XV1100S
>
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